3 Ways to Bring Resort Inspiration to Your Backyard Oasis

Creating an outdoor living space with features accommodating your lifestyle is a great starting point. When it comes to how you want your space to feel, the secret is in the details and finishing touches. A recent article on Houzz.com shares ways to add resort elements to your at-home leisure space and bring vacation vibes into your everyday downtime. Here are three suggestions that offer functional and elegant ways to incorporate natural stone--and features that are useful, durable, and easy to maintain.

Old New England Rounds firepit and accent/seating wall. 

1. Seating

Outdoor furniture is a must, but the article also suggests rethinking typical seating, and including options that can act as focal points. Natural stone accent walls are one way to accomplish this, as they can be designed to multitask as seating walls. They offer a convenient, always-available, and weatherproof seating option while adding definition to outdoor living spaces like fireplaces, firepits, pools, and patios. In the photo above, the Old New England Rounds seating wall (and coordinating firepit) lends itself to a peaceful ocean view, a warm, cozy spot to socialize, or a mix of both. 

Liberty Hill Roughly Squares & Rectangles accent wall and landscape design.

2. Landscape Design 

One of Houzz's suggestions to add resort vibes was to incorporate plants. Whether you want to evoke a tropical feel or create a space that feels more connected to nature, we think plants in combination with a thoughtful landscape design make a big impact! In this project by CI Fine Landscapes, the Liberty Hill Roughly Squares & Rectangles wall creates privacy, while the plants add a splash of color to enhance relaxation and an escape from the daily routine. 

Connecticut Blend Mosaic fireplace with water feature (stone supplied by Halquist Stone.) 

3. Water Features

Being near the water is soothing to the senses, so we agree that adding a water feature into your backyard space (with or without a pool) is a great way to add a luxurious feel to the atmosphere! Stone is a natural fit when it comes to water features, and can even be used to enhance an exterior fireplace, as seen in this project by Kellys Greenscapes. Connecticut Blend Mosaic adds color and texture to this outdoor living space, and the elements of water and fire add visual impact and help set the perfect tone to unwind.

Outdoor living spaces that bring the best of vacation time into your backyard make leisure time more accessible and more enjoyable--and easier to share with family and friends. You can read the full Houzz article that inspired this blog post here. For more ways to create visually appealing and functional spaces, indoors, outdoors, and in landscape designs, download our Natural Stone Residential Guide.